1. Overview
The E-7-4 Skilled Worker Visa is a points-based immigration pathway that allows foreign workers currently on E-9 (Non-Professional Employment), E-10 (Vessel Crew) or H-2 (Working Visit) status to convert to a professional-level work visa. It is the points system (K-point E74) operated by the Ministry of Justice for long-term skilled workers, and only a change of status is permitted (it is not a new visa issuance).
Unlike the standard E-7 visa — which requires a sponsoring employer in one of the designated occupations — the E-7-4 uses a points scoring system to evaluate the overall profile of the applicant. Points are awarded for age, average income of the last 2 years and Korean language ability, with bonus points (such as recommendation and tenure at the current workplace) and deductions applied. Applicants who reach the threshold may convert their visa status.
2. Points Scoring Criteria
Below is the "K-point E74" points table in Annex 1 of the Ministry of Justice Guide to Residence Matters by Status (Sept 1, 2026 edition). The conversion requirement is 200 or more points (bonus points counted) on a 300-point base scale that excludes bonus points, and average income and Korean ability must each score at least 50 points. Items and points may change in operation.
Average income (average annual income of the last 2 years, max 120 points)
For agriculture, livestock, fishing and coastal-shipping workers the lower limit is KRW 24 million or more. The minimum requirement for the 50-point floor is an average of KRW 25.89 million or more over the last 2 years (the sum of the two years divided by 2), or KRW 24 million or more for those sectors.
Korean ability (max 120 points)
The minimum requirement is TOPIK level 2, KIIP stage 2 completed, or a KIIP pre-assessment placing you in stage 3 (41 points or more).
Age (max 60 points)
Bonus points
The bonus items can be added together; the ministry and metropolitan recommendations are counted as one if both apply.
Deductions
Excluded persons
A person who falls under any of the following cannot apply. Items (1), (3) and (4) count only matters within the last 10 years.
- (1) A criminal fine of KRW 3 million or more
- (2) Unpaid tax (an applicant can apply after paying in full)
- (3) Four or more Immigration Act violations
- (4) Overstay of 3 months or more
- (5) A person judged likely to harm the interests or public safety of the Republic of Korea
- (6) A person judged likely to harm the economic or social order or good morals
Employer requirements and allowed headcount
- The workplace must currently employ at least one E-9, E-10 or H-2 worker normally, as an existing skilled-worker points workplace.
- General rule: 30% or less of the workplace's Korean employees. "Korean employees" means Koreans registered for 3 months or more on the four social insurance workplace subscriber roster.
- Exception: population-decline areas, root industries and agriculture, livestock and fishing allow 50% or less (rounded up). A company employing E-9 or E-10 workers may recommend at least 1 person (2 in those sectors) even with no Korean employees.
- Construction: construction-capacity evaluation value (or average annual construction amount) x 0.4 (0.4 person per KRW 100 million, rounded up), using whichever is more favorable.
- A company with unpaid national tax, local tax or customs duty is excluded.
Special cases: non-metropolitan stay and the Korean-language deferral
- Non-metropolitan exception: a person who has stayed 3 or more years outside Seoul, Gyeonggi and Incheon and received a metropolitan-government recommendation also meets the stay-history requirement.
- Korean-language deferral (until 31 Dec 2026): an applicant who meets every requirement other than Korean (total of 150 points or more) can have the Korean requirement deferred until the first extension (2 years). If Korean ability is not met within 2 years, family invitation is not possible and only a 6-month stay is granted; if it is still not met within 6 months, further extension is refused and the stay permit is cancelled.
3. Basic Eligibility Requirements
- Registered foreigner who has stayed 4 or more years in the last 10 years under E-9, E-10 or H-2 status and is currently working normally at the current workplace
- Recommendation from an employer the applicant has worked for at least 1 year (mandatory)
- Score of at least 200 out of 300 points (bonus points included), with at least 50 points each in average income and Korean ability
- No exclusion grounds: fine of KRW 3 million or more, tax arrears (may apply after full payment), 4 or more immigration law violations, or 3 months or more of unauthorized stay (within the last 10 years for the fine, violations and unauthorized stay)
- Employer meets the workplace requirements (currently employs at least one E-9, E-10 or H-2 worker; no tax arrears; employment within the permitted share of Korean employees)
- Employment contract of at least 2 years as E-7-4 with an annual salary of KRW 26 million or more (KRW 25.89 million for agriculture, livestock, fishing and coastal vessel workers)
4. Required Documents
5. Conversion Process
- Preliminary review — confirm eligibility, calculate current points, identify gaps
- Gather all required documents (employment contract, income certificate, proof of Korean ability, employer recommendation and workplace documents)
- Complete the self-evaluation points table with supporting documents for each claimed score
- Submit the change-of-status application online through HiKorea in principle (in-person only in exceptional cases); the application day of the week is set by the last digit of the birth year
- Respond to any supplementary document requests within the designated period
- Receive change-of-status approval; collect updated ARC with E-7-4 status (up to 2 years per grant, within the employment contract)
- Notify current employer of updated visa status